How Synthetic Phonics Instruction Can Improve Reading and Spelling Skills

Primary Teachers and all Learning Support Staff

Systematic Synthetic Phonics instruction has been identified in Australia and other English-speaking countries as the most successful approach to the teaching of reading and spelling, particularly for students with specific learning difficulties. Most teachers ‘do’ phonics, but can instruction and student gains be optimised? In this course, participants will learn about the features of high-quality phonics instruction and become familiar with terrific programs, strategies, multisensory activities and resources they can use in designing an effective program.

Shirley Houston is an independent educational consultant with 40 years of teaching experience. She has a Masters degree in Special Education and has taught students in years K-12 at government, Catholic and Independent schools, in Australia and in America. She has lectured at several universities in Western Australia and at the Central Institute of Technology. Shirley has an enduring passion for work with children and adults who have specific learning difficulties and is a long-standing Board member of The Dyslexia- SPELD Foundation of Western Australia. She runs teacher-training, advises companies on educational product development and tutors students with diverse needs.

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